Take ‘Em Down 901 (MAP 2019)

ABOUT THE GRANT

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Take ‘Em Down 901 is a one-act play about the grassroots movement that resulted in the December 2017 removal of statues of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and Capt. J. Harvey Mathes from public parks in Memphis, TN, where they had stood for more than 100 years, casting their shadows over residents of the fifth ‘Blackest’ city in the country. The script will be developed by Ekundayo Bandele to tell the story from the perspectives of the group of roughly 50 concerned citizens who succeeded in legally toppling the controversial landmarks, in the process, upending the powerful institutions that had long protected them and the enduring legacy of oppression they represented for Memphis’ marginalized majority. It will premiere free to the public in the Memphis, TN greenspace formerly known as Nathan Bedford Forrest Park.


ARTISTIC TEAM

Ekundayo Bandele // Facebook

Johnny Jones // Facebook